R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On June 6, 1999, the Reverend Raphael C. Smith will 1-2 retire as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Austin, 1-3 drawing to a close more than a quarter century of faithful service 1-4 to the spiritual needs of others; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Loveland, Ohio, he answered his 1-6 country's call during World War II, serving his nation with 1-7 distinction as a member of the U.S. armed forces; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Reverend Smith has achieved outstanding success in 1-9 his role as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church; in addition 1-10 to leading the effort to reduce the church mortgage debt in a short 1-11 time, he established a building fund program and presided over the 1-12 dedication of a million dollar edifice for the church in 1986; and 1-13 WHEREAS, He also instituted a children's church to teach 1-14 young worshipers ages 3-12, established a graded music department, 1-15 and implemented a transportation ministry to assist church members; 1-16 and 1-17 WHEREAS, An active force for positive change in his 1-18 community, Reverend Smith has held the position of president of 1-19 Central East Austin Care Givers, St. John Sunday School and BTU 1-20 Congress, and the Baptist Minister's Union of Austin; he also 1-21 served as a co-chair of Austin Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, a 1-22 board member of Austin Meals on Wheels, and a member of the Austin 1-23 Planning Commission; and 1-24 WHEREAS, In recognition of his many significant 2-1 contributions, he was chosen to receive an Austin Legend Award by 2-2 The Villager newspaper and he was also awarded an honorary 2-3 doctorate from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin; and 2-4 WHEREAS, He has been supported in all his worthy endeavors by 2-5 his devoted wife, Blondell, and his children, Raneza and Raette; 2-6 and 2-7 WHEREAS, For 27 years, Reverend Smith's outstanding spiritual 2-8 leadership, understanding guidance, and strong faith have been a 2-9 tremendous source of inspiration to many individuals in his church 2-10 and community, and he is indeed deserving of special praise and 2-11 recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-13 Legislature hereby commend the Reverend Raphael C. Smith on his 2-14 exemplary service as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and 2-15 extend to him warmest best wishes for a happy and rewarding 2-16 retirement; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Reverend Smith as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives. Dukes _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1015 was adopted by the House on May 21, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House